The Book of Common

The Dark Time's

Well I promised so I'll talk of what I know of the
Dark Time. Most is second hand now, if I know it
for a fact I'll say so. Second hand stuff came from
people I know and trust. How much it has been
changed over the years. Well lets say its not certain. First off been several Dark Time's,
much like the World Moving on been several
of those events. They could all be tied together
I don't know, most not even the Keepers are
certain.

So lets begin, we had machines that could think
and do. Before you get all bunched up! Machines
that could think talk do things man did. Yes now,
ya sayin Common don't be spinnin a yarn.
Well I'm not. They could. Well best way to put
it, they could sew a button on tie the knot when
done. You see they could do everythin a human
could do. Make decisions talk to you. Lan sakes
must of been strange time's.

Well after N.O. One came along that was the name
of the first super intelligent machine. If what I have been told is right. N.O. One named itself
No One. Well I have seen pictures of it, what they
called A.I.  If remember correctly it was called
a computer. Even after the improvements it still
called its self No One. Now No One could talk
to all the A.I. send out what they called updates.

These machines took over mans jobs. Get this
the ones that owned the companies well made
people purchase these things. They bought them
on time payments, paid for the maintenance and
updates. Then paid a small amount after all the deduction. Well this new wonder that was supposed to make life better!

Backfired! Like a cannon ball lodged in the barrel.
Prices that is what things cost, didn't go down nor
stay the same. Why I was told, they kept going up!
Best way to put it, the old straight copper you could divide four ways. Now only in half I can
remember an ale was a quarter straight now its
half. Think if it did that well beyond what you
had, then kept going up.

Well the second part of the first half of the World
Moving on starts. We gots tired of it, meaning man
oh man just to let you know is referring to humans. For the ladies wanted to get that straight
back on track Common.

Some that owned businesses tried to keep us
working still making stuff with man and simple
machines. They were gradually forced out by
The Few. Those that controlled the Corporation's.
Now mind you this is going on all over not one
Land but all Lands. Why ifin you didn't know theys
Lands across The Ocean Blue.

Well we took those Few on! Lets just say we lost.
Put down No One and The Few took to leading
The World. How long the War with the Few lasted.
Keepers aren't sure. The Few in some Lands allied
together to have more. No One must of decided
that. Three Wars Lands thousands of miles away
Took to killin each other. They would stop sign
a Truce few years later go it again.

Finally some how after it was to damn late. They
Shut No One down. How they did it Keepers don't
Know. Things got messy seems the World was tired
of man and his stupidity arrogance. She made it Cold. Parts of the world that didn't stay froze, froze up. Earth quakes ones well past how they measured them. Second part of The World Moving
On.

Those Few, the ones that started it all still ran
the World why not sure. Guess power isn't easy
to take away. Well they said fifty thousand from
each state they be fifty at the time. Like we have
Thirteen Lands. Will gather up, the Best and brightest to start up the World again. They will
move to safe place. To ride this out.

Get this when they were working on leaving
they destroyed aircraft, ships any thing that
could help the many get away. Yes Folks we had
Machines that flew dear me. Wouldn't that be
interesting flying machines. The Many were stuck
to ride this out. Guess yes they were wrong.

Why we are still here ain't we. Oh I forgot when
this second part started half the worlds population
was gone. The Keepers say when this Event ended
almost all of us was gone maybe an eighth survived.

I must tell you the Few that didn't get selected to
go were killed within days after The Chosen left.
Keepers say it took thousand years to recover.
More Wars over Land started some were taught how to work simple machines most were killed
or given time died keeping some working.
After they weren't replaced.

Machines were out lawd only wind or water driven were allowed. One train ran for a time.
Called it a Subway, place called D.C. had it.
Nobles kept it going well just because at one time
they all met the fifty Lands to make laws.
Guess they liked the fancy thing. I rode it
once in my early years. That one broke
hell who could fix it. I know you saying how
did that make it. Damn I don't know! If I did
I'd tell ya. Do know that soon after those that
new about how to keep things going.

Well we got worried that things go wrong again.
They were killed. Don't think any made it past
what they called the third Dark Time.

The Fourth and Final Dark Time.

This one started not to long ago, We the Nobles sent Trackers out.

Ohio's had sealed them selves off
from the rest. The waste Lands helped with that.
Plus the Border Wars, well her land was fertile
decent weather. Her border Lands wanted it.
First most of Kentuck is Waste Land, they tried
take part of her and lost, Ohio got Kentuck Indian
tried and lost Michgan did the same. Well Ohio's
sealed up. Kept some simple machines running
and people trained till they just couldn't be fixed.

Well just so ya know that took place before the Tracker thing. Just wanted all to know it was about
the same time, we became United but separate.
You know same Laws Rangers can patrol any Land.
We no longer meet to decide what to do.

Get on track Common, Trackers well some reason
some how even after United but separate took hold. All Thirteen Lands decided to send out
Trackers. To rid the Lands of these Keepers.
Knowing the Past was unlawful had been for a while. They wanted the Keepers dead gone.

Hate to say it my friend Norm was chose to be
one. This part I know its been verified by myself.
This is fact all. Norm was given a list of Keepers
to kill not by looking at the facts doing judgement.
Just kill them. He gave me this list when I took
Jacob on his first ride. I still have it. So I knows
the names. I'll only mention two of them.
Bartholomew Taft, from the Ohio's. Robert W. Stanson, Missasip. Those two I know no harm
will come to them. Not even the family. They are
well protected.

Norm didn't kill a one of them. He said he did,
that Stanson feller he found a new home. Maybe
I'm not certain that Privateer now. The Ohio one
his daughter well had Norm junior. That is fact
I met her and the boy. Well full grown man.
How many that were killed the Keepers I am not
rightly sure. Norm my Friend did right! Don't care
what you think! Jacob doesn't know this I am
the only one. This needed tellin. Jacob ifin you
ever hear tell of this or read it. Norm said he adopted you. To keep you from being held responsible if his actions were ever found out.

You grew to be a fine Ranger, ifin I had a son I'd
want him to be like you. That Family you have
dear me grand they are. Somethin I should pass
on. Those Chosen will come back least that was
the plan. Believe me if you want. This is truth the
best I know it. Next time hell what ever comes to mind.